CAPE COUNTY SETS TAX RATE

JACKSON, Mo. -- The Cape Girardeau County Commission lowered the road and bridge tax levy by a penny Monday, setting the tax rate at 22 cents per $100 assessed valuation.

As in past years, the commission didn't levy a property tax for the county government's general revenue fund. The county's sales tax brings in enough revenue to eliminate the need for a property tax levy for the general fund.

"We are one of very few counties in the state like that," said Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones.

As to the road and bridge fund, the commission could have imposed a 35-cent tax levy, but the commissioners said the county doesn't need such a property tax.

Besides, they said, it would be politically unpopular to raise the road and bridge levy.

Second District Commissioner Max Stovall said the 22-cent levy is expected to generate $620,761 for road and bridge operations.

First District Commissioner Larry Bock said that's just a small part of the nearly $2 million the county spends annually on roads and bridges. Most of the road and bridge funding comes from the county's share of the motor fuel tax.